Need headphone advice please!

[PhaleProof]

Hello all,

I recently decided I wanted to buy a nice pair of ear buds for my iPod for use while working out (jogging, weight lifting, cycling, etc).

I've narrowed it down to a few pairs: Shure E2C's, Shure E3C's, and Etymotic ER-6's.

I am leaning towards the Shure E2C's just because they are the cheapest but still have really good sound and bass. I was originally going to go for the Etymotic Er-6's but I heard of several cases of microphonic trouble. Can anyone verify if the ER-6's have this problem still? Also, is their sound signifigantly clearer than the Shure's (either one)? Are the E3C's SIGNIFIGANTLY better sounding than the E2C's?

Any info would be helpful, thanks for your time.

 

[remilard]

Some people prefer the e2c over the e3c, its the bass I imagine. Ety products are more detailed and Shure products are more "musical" for what it is worth. If they are strictly for working out I say get the cheapest one (e2c) and save up for a better pair of phones for home or work.

 

[Jahn]

well very soon ety is putting out a "6i" which was made to go with the ipods well - do a search for the discussion on it here in head-fi, i believe a number of folks are going that direction.

 

[jacopo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn well very soon ety is putting out a "6i" which was made to go with the ipods well - do a search for the discussion on it here in head-fi, i believe a number of folks are going that direction.

I have an iPod and E2 and I'm quite happy...

imho it doesnt make much sense aiming too high if you're gonna use it with mp3. what format are you going to use phale?

J|!

 

[PhaleProof]

Format?

 

[PhaleProof]

So has anyone who uses or has used the ER-6's tell me if they've experienced the microphonic distortion?

I think I'm gonna go with the E2C's just because I want something to work out with on my iPod, they are the cheapest of the ones I want to get, and I've heard it's not really worth the extra money for the E3C's.

 

[KenW]

Where did you hear the E3C's weren't worth the extra money over the 2c's? I've seen several posts comparing the 3c's with the Ety 4p's. Specifically, Bang's review is one of the better comparisons I've come across and it's what has me leaning to the 3c's now. Of course, the minute I made my choice, I come across a thread mentioning the Ety 6i's and now I'm back to square one!

Dang....all I want is a great set of isolating canal phones that are comfortable and give moderately good sound for air travel! Not trying to hijack your thread but the comment about the e3c not being worth the $$ caught my eye and I hope you can expand on that.


Quote:

Originally Posted by PhaleProof So has anyone who uses or has used the ER-6's tell me if they've experienced the microphonic distortion? I think I'm gonna go with the E2C's just because I want something to work out with on my iPod, they are the cheapest of the ones I want to get, and I've heard it's not really worth the extra money for the E3C's.

 

[commando]

Damn there's a lot of in-ear threads about lately. Have a look at my post on this thread

 

[Mr.Radar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhaleProof Format?

He's asking what you encode your music into: MP3, AAC, or Apple Lossless.

 

[commando]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenW ... but the comment about the e3c not being worth the $$ caught my eye and I hope you can expand on that.

I've written that a few times today. To my ears the veil was unacceptable - the mids and highs weren't precise at all. The EX71s are more precise to my ears, with a strong bass that might put some off, but it's not boomy like some people say. The isolation of the 71s is better than buds but not as good as the E3s.

If you want isolation, precision, and low price, get the Ety 6s, or wait for the 6i's to come out - check their website for when that is (google etymotic research).

 

[LTUCCI1924]

PhaleProof
HI: I owned the E2C and really liked them. They sounded great and were very comfortable. Then I sold them and bought the E3C. The E3c had a little clearer sound but less bass and like the etys go into your ear canal and for me were less comfortable. So I sold the E3C and bought the E2 and fine them more comfortable because they don't go in my ear canal but just to the opening of it but still have a great seal and there was that bass that was missing with the E3C. The bass isn't like the EX71 or any where near it. The bass on the E2 is much more natural and don't get in the way of the mids and highs. Do a search on the E2 and read what other member think of them.

 

[PhaleProof]

I found the E2C's for 75 shipped (if anyone has a better price lemme know pls) and I found the E3C's for about 135 shipped. Now, thats almost double the price.

Am I REALLY, and I mean REALLY, going to notice a signifigantly better quality in the E3C's? I'm talking about an extra 60 bucks worth of quality. Not a slight upgrade in sound quality (with a loss of bass no less).

How long till the ER-6i's come out? I was originally going to go with the Ety's but then I read a lotta posts about the microphonic problem. I want the best ear buds for working out, as well as just sitting in class etc.

 

[PhaleProof]

I take it since noone responded that the E3C's really aren't worth double the price.

 

[Thaddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhaleProof I take it since noone responded that the E3C's really aren't worth double the price.

That's what I would have told you! Personally, I think the only jump worth it in the Shure line is from the E2's to the E5's.

Remember that's my opinion too, no flames please!

 

[commando]

The Shure E3s are overpriced, IMHO, and I wouldn't pay more than $50 for them. I just didn't like them, so I returned them. EX71s are much better to my ears.